Event Will Honor Naturalized Citizens Serving In The Military

Billed as the nation's premier aviation event devoted exclusively to helicopters, the American Heroes Air Show is set to land in the community of Canton outside Atlanta, Georgia September 11th.

Since 1993, this admission-free event has been dedicated to educating the public, the media and elected officials as to the unique capabilities and dynamic role helicopters play in law enforcement, disaster response, public safety and the military. With aircraft on display from local, regional, state and Federal/DOD agencies, the public has a unique opportunity to meet their local heroes and get an up close look at why these aircraft and their crews are on the front line of homeland security, national defense and public service.

For the very first time the American Heroes Air Show is working with the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) office in Atlanta to produce the "American Anthem" event element. They invite the community to take part in a very special day when  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Atlanta will hold a naturalization ceremony for noncitizen members of the military who will stand up and take their Oath of Allegiance to become citizens of the United States.

"This will be a memorable way to honor those serving in our military", explained volunteer Event Director Mike Grier. "Canton is honored to welcome these men and women on their first day as American citizens; and it is our privilege to welcome all heroes who take the Oath of Allegiance while serving in the U.S. armed forces.”

Grier says he has been working for months with the team from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on the scheduling and presentation details. “It’s been an eye-opening privilege to work with USCIS from Atlanta,” he noted. “The naturalization ceremony fits in so well with the theme of the American Heroes Air Show … and it’s a vivid reminder to our guests that many serving our country in the military are fighting to defend citizenship benefits that they themselves don’t fully enjoy.”

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services conducts naturalization ceremonies at public locations, such as the American Heroes Air Show, to reinforce the value and meaning of the process through which the United States naturalizes citizens – many of them serving in the military. As part of the Department of Homeland Security, (DHS), USCIS naturalized 10,505 members of the military in fiscal 2009, with 1,655 of those men and women taking the Oath of Allegiance at ceremonies overseas. Since 2001 USCIS has naturalized more than 63,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines at ceremonies across the country and in 20 nations around the world.

Additionally, the American Heroes event offers the CODE1 Career Fair  which brings together recruiting teams from law enforcement, the military, fire and government service, volunteer agencies and all public service groups to profile their public service mission and career opportunities.

These recruiting teams from many of today’s “Top Gun” agencies offer information and personal insights on:

• Mission of their organization in today’s dynamic world of security and safety
• Hiring criteria and entrance testing schedules along with salary ranges.
• Discover the personal attributes needed for success in today’s law enforcement, military and public service organizations.

Recruiting space is free to public service & military organizations.

The SAR SITE1 program introduces the community to many of the finest Search & Rescue teams from mountain, urban, swiftwater, canine and Combat / SAR organizations. Check out technical rope rescue demos and learn how you can join the action as a reserve volunteer - part of a local Search & Rescue team.

FMI: www.heroes-airshow.com, www.uscis.gov